Rate Professor Debra McDougall

Professional Summary: Professor Debra McDougall

Professor Debra McDougall is a distinguished anthropologist based at the University of Melbourne, Australia. With a focus on cultural and social anthropology, her work explores complex issues of identity, religion, and social change in the Pacific region, particularly in the Solomon Islands. Her academic career is marked by rigorous research, impactful publications, and a commitment to advancing anthropological scholarship.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor McDougall holds advanced degrees in anthropology, reflecting her deep expertise in the field:

• PhD in Anthropology, University of Chicago, USA
• MA in Anthropology, University of Chicago, USA
• BA in Anthropology, Brown University, USA

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Debra McDougall’s research centers on the cultural dynamics of the Pacific, with specific interests in:

• Social and cultural anthropology of Melanesia, particularly the Solomon Islands
• Christianity, religion, and social transformation
• Language, identity, and cultural heritage
• Conflict, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconciliation

Career History and Appointments

Professor McDougall has held several academic positions, contributing to teaching and research at prestigious institutions:

• Associate Professor, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia (current)
• Senior Lecturer, Anthropology, University of Western Australia, Australia
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University, Australia

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to anthropology have been recognized through various prestigious fellowships and grants:

• Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Australian National University

Key Publications

Professor McDougall has authored and co-edited significant works in anthropology, focusing on the Pacific region. Key publications include:

• Engaging with Strangers: Love and Violence in the Rural Solomon Islands (2016)
• Co-editor, Christian Politics in Oceania (2012)
• Multiple peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute and The Australian Journal of Anthropology

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Debra McDougall’s research has significantly contributed to the understanding of social change and religious transformation in Melanesia. Her ethnographic work in the Solomon Islands provides critical insights into the interplay of tradition and modernity, influencing contemporary anthropological approaches to identity and conflict resolution in the Pacific. Her publications are widely cited, and her expertise shapes discourse on cultural resilience and post-conflict societies.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor McDougall is actively engaged in the academic community through public scholarship and leadership roles:

• Regular presenter at international anthropology conferences, including the Australian Anthropological Society Annual Conference
• Contributor to public lectures and seminars on Pacific studies and anthropology
• Member of editorial boards and reviewer for leading anthropology journals